Draft law highlights cybersecurity in operation of nuclear facilities

The nuclear facility operation department should take necessary measures to prevent attacks, intrusions, interference, and sabotage in cyberspace, making every effort to ensure the safety and stability of the equipment, according to a draft law.

The draft atomic energy law was submitted on Monday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for a third review.

Cyberattacks are significant risks in the operation of nuclear facilities, so this content has been added to the draft law to strengthen the prevention through legislation, Luo Yuan, an official from the NPC's Constitution and Law Committee, said while explaining the draft to lawmakers.

He added that the draft also includes countermeasure provisions to enhance the "toolbox" of laws in the nuclear energy field. It stipulates that if any country or region takes discriminatory prohibitions, restrictions, or other similar measures against China in this sector, China will take corresponding measures against that country or region based on the actual situation.

Before the review, the draft had been discussed by the NPC Standing Committee twice. In China, a draft generally becomes a law after being read three times.